Electric switch



March 18, 1947. LEONARD 2,417,767

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 19, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY March 18, 1947. LEONARD 2,417,767

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 19, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: INVENTOR @1 J/errfl/ a. Zea/lard BY We. W 0

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 18, 1947 ELECTRIC SWITCH Merrill G. Leonard, Sharon, Pa, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 19, 1944, Serial No. 550,247

8 Claims.

My invention relates to an electric switch, and more particularly to a trigger type switch of particular utility in connection with the starting gear of an electrically propelled torpedo.

The Government of the United States has been granted a certain royalty-free license for governmental purposes with respect to the invention herein described.

The present war has introduced the electrically propelled torpedo and with such torpedoes, it is necessary, among other elements, to provide efiicient and reliable electrical starting switches.

One object of my invention is the provision of a trigger switch that shall be simple, and inexpensive to build and efficient and reliable in operation in conjunction with the propulsion control of an electrically propelled torpedo.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trigger switch which may not be readily operated except through the actuating lever coacting with elements of the firing tube of a torpedo.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic showing of the after-body of a torpedo disposed within the firing tube,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the trigger switch, comprising my invention, on a substantially vertical plane; 7

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the subject matter shown in Fig. 2 substantially on section line III--III;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line IV-IV of Fig. 2 with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 5 is an end view looking from the left of the subject matter shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of a modification of my trigger switch;

Fig. 'I is a sectional view substantially on section line VIIVII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view on section line VIII--VIII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a still further modification of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a view taken on section line XX of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a plan view taken n section line X[XI of Fig. 10 of some details of the subject matter shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, l designates the firing tube of the torpedo provided with a do 2 for actuating the lever 3 of the trigger switch 4. The trigger switch comprises a. fitting having the flange 6 resting on top of the annular shoulder 8 of the well 9. For the most detailed showing of the well see Fig. 6. This well 9 (see Fig. 6) is welded to the after-body of the torpedo at H] to provide a hermetic seal with the afterbody. Disposed between the shoulder and flange is a suitable rubber or neoprene gasket ll. This gasket in conjunction with the screws l2 holds the fitting in firm position with reference to the after-body and at the same time provides for a hermetic seal preventing any leakage of sea water into the after-body.

The fitting is provided with a horizontal pivot pin 13. This pivot pin I3 i held in firm position by the screws l4 and I5 which are screwed up tight against the hubs I6 and I1 and then the screws are either soldered or brazed in position so that no water can leak out of the fitting into the after-body of the torpedo.

Pivotally mounted on the pin I3 is the lever 3. This lever 3 has a transverse hole above the pivot and in this hole are positioned two facing cupshaped members l8 and i9 biased away from each other by the spring 20. The fitting has a narrow channel portion at the upper or open part, which channel portion is provided with two recesses, one directly about the pivot pin [3 and another toward the right. The bottoms of the cupshaped elements 3 and I9 fit into the recesses and thus hold the lever 3 in the full line position shown in Fig. 2 before the torpedo is fired and in the dot-dash line position shown in Fig. 2 after the torpedo has been fired.

The fitting is provided with an opening at the left through which the lever 23 projects. This lever is pivoted on a bracket 24 secured to the fitting and is biased for counterclockwise rotation by the spring 25 disposed between the lower inner end of the fitting on a suitable stud and the righthand end of lever 23. The lever is provided with a cam 26 coacting with a cam 2'! provided at the lower end of trigger lever 3.

The left-hand end of lever 23 is secured to the switch arm 28 which is hermetically secured to the left-hand end of the Sylphon bellows 29 to close the left-hand end of this bellows, whereas the right-hand endoi the bellows is secured hermetically to a ledge disposed about the bracket 24 and the opening through which lever 23 projects. It is thus apparent that motion of switch arm 28 may be readily efiected and yet no sea water would leak into the afterbody of the torpedo. This switch arm is provided with a contact 3D suitably insulated from the arm. This contact 30 is so disposed that upon actuation of the trigger lever it will make contact with the resilient contact 3| fixed to the outside of the fitting on an insulated post.

While the particular showing of my trigger switch appearing in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, is quite efiicient and usually satisfactory, it may nevertheless be possible that engagement between the switch contacts might be made if the torpedo is subjected to a jar so as to cause operation of lever 23 independent of any actuation of the trigger lever 3 or if, as can happen, spring 25 might become broken or dislocated.

The modifications shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 eliminate the possibility of any erroneous closure of the switch circuit for the starting gear of the torpedo. The upper portion of the trigger lever 33, referring to Fig. 6, maybe identical in shape to the trigger lever shown in Fig. 2, and this lever is provided with the same type of facing cup-shaped members for maintaining the trigger lever either in the unoperated position or the operated position.

The lower end of this trigger lever is, however, not provided with a cam having an external surface but with an arcuate slot 53. A lever 03, in most respects similar to lever 23 but pivoted to project toward the rear of the fitting 5' and included within a suitable Sylphon bellows 09, is pivoted on a bracket 44 on the fittin and at the left is bifurcated to receive a bearing pin 50. This pin is disposed within the slot 53. This slot is so shaped that when the lever trigger 33 is in the full line position shown, the lever 33 is in the position shown, so that the switch arm 08 carrying the contact 52 for coaction with the contact 5| is so positioned that no contact is made between contacts 52 and 5|. Upon firing of the torpedo, the trigger lever 33 moves in a clockwise direction, whereupon the pin 50 is moved from the full line position shown to the dot-dash line position shown, and since lever 43 has substantially a 3:1 ratio, contact is made between contacts 52 and SI. Furthermore, operation of the trigger lever 33 is through a sufficient angle to position pin 50 at the right-hand of the slot. Lever 43 is, therefore, held in its fixed position to close the circuit at contacts 52 and SI. No impacts to which the torpedo might be subjected are thus able to cause operation of the switch con tacts 52 and 5|, because there is a positive engagement between the trigger lever and the switch actuating lever.

The modification shown in Fig. 9 is somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, but in this case the construction of the gasket II is somewhat different and, what is more important for the invention herein presented, the switch contacts are devised and arranged to be more reliable in operation.

To increase the compactness somewhat, the closure 48' for the Sylphon bellows 49 is shaped somewhat like a dish with the bottom thereof fitting into the left-hand end of the Sylphon bellows. The closure 48' is of suflicient thickness to receive the screws I00 for mounting the T-shaped support IOI, for the pair of movable contacts I02 and I03. These contacts are connected in the control circuit by suitable pig-tail connections attached to the terminals I03 and I05. The switch, or contact, arrangement shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 is thus a double-break type of switch.

The movable contacts I02 and I03 are disposed to coact with the resiliently mounted contact bar I06. This contact bridging element is mounted on ablock of insulation I0I, somewhat U-shaped,

so as to be readily secured by bolts I08 to the bent metal bracket I09. This bracket has projecting portions I I0 straddling the rear portion of fixture 5 and is otherwise shaped to conform to the fixture 5. The bracket is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the fixture 5.

To effect reliable operation of the switch contact I06 with the movable contacts I02 and I03, I mount contact I06 on the one-piece fairly rigid U-shaped spring II 2. A stop strip III prevents contact bar I06 from dropping into engagement with contacts I02 and I03 in normal position and the one-piece spring prevents the possibility of poor and difierential contact pressure between contact I06 and contacts I02 and I03. The stop strip I I I is riveted to insulation block I0! through spacer blocks II3.

For a fuller understanding of the function of my starting gear, reference may be had to Fig. 1, wherein M designates the propulsion motor for the torpedo, 50 the motor for bringing the gyro 6| to full speed before the torpedo is fired, 62 is the starting switch for the main propulsion motor and battery B is the source of energy for motors M and 60, and such other elements as are to be operated from this battery.

When the torpedo boat, or other vessel, is in battle position, one of the attendants closes the gyro start switch 34 whereupon a circuit is established from battery B, through conductor 63, gyro start switch 60, contact 3I, the gyro operating motor 60, conductor 35, the contacts 66 of the gyro transfer switch back to the battery B. When the torpedo gyro is up to speed and has been set on the target, the torpedo is fired. The trigger lever 3 thereupon is actuated by the dog 2, whereupon contact is made between contacts 30 and 3i, or I03 and 406 as the case may be, whereupon a circuit is established from the battery B, through conductor 63, yro start switch 60, contacts 3i and 30, the coil 61 of the electromagnetic clutch throwout mechanism 68, conductor 35, the contact 36 of the gyro transfer switch to the battery. Operation of the throwout clutch mechanism disconnects the motor 00 from the gyro wheel at clutch I0, since the lever II is moved in a clockwise direction about its pivot. The clockwise movement of the lever II causes disengagement between dogs I2 and I12. The lever I2 through its biasing springs is moved in a clockwise direction about its pivot. The clockwise movement of the lever I2 also moves the lever I3 but in a counterclockwise direction, thereby releasing the gyro so that it may take control for directing the torpedo. Levers I2 and I3 fit into notches in the ring I4 and thus prevent any rotation of ring I4 about its pivot and also prevents any rotation of ring I5 about its pivot. Since the levers I2 and I3, through their springs, when lever II is operated are thrown entirely clear of ring I5 and have considerable angular movement, the gyro is released.

At the left of lever 13, I show the gyro transfer switch rather schematically biased about a pivot for clockwise rotation but held from rotating in such clockwise direction by the dog I6. Counterclockwise rotation of lever i3 releases the dog Hon the gyro transfer switch and this switch thereby operates in a clockwise direction breaking the contacts at 06 but closing contacts I3. Opening of contact 06 deenergizes the gyro operated motor 30, and also the electromagnetic clutch operating mechanism 03. The clutch operating mechanism 68 is provided with a suitable latch, not shown, for maintaining the clutch in the disengaged position. To prevent arcing at contact 66, I provide a condenser 80 in parallel to the contact 56.

Closure of contact 18 establishes a circuit from the battery B, through conductor 63 over speed switch 8i, coil 82 of the motor starting switch 52 and contact 78, back to the battery, Operation of motor starting switch 62 establishes its own holding circuit, through contacts 83 and also establishes an energizing circuit for the propulsion motor through contacts 8t. A circuit for the torpedo propulsion motor may be traced from the battery B, through conductor 53, contacts 84, conductor 85, motor M, disconnect switch 85 and conductor 87 to the battery.

While I have shown but three embodiments of my special trigger switch for starting a torpedo and shown but one control combined with the trigger switch, I am readily aware that others, particularly after having had the benefit of the teachings of my invention, may devise similar apparatus for effecting the same or somewhat similar functions. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the particular showing made, but wish to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a trigger switch for a torpedo, in combination, a well hermetically connected to the afterbody of a torpedo, said well having a horizontal shoulder, a gasket disposed on the shoulder, a recessed fixture having flanges resting on the gasket, means for efiecting a hermetic connection between the flanges of the fixture and the shoulder, a first lever pivoted near its lower end in the fixture and extending upwardly out of the fixture a sufiicient distance above the outer surface of the afterbody to be in position to be actuated by a dog in the firing tube for a torpedo, a second but horizontally pivoted lever in the lower portion of the fixture, an operative connection between the lower end of the first lever and one end of the second lever, said fixture having an opening at its lower region through which the second lever projects, a Sylphon bellows hermetically sealed about the opening and hermetically connected to the end of the second lever projecting through the opening in the fixture, and switch contacts mounted on the outside of the Sylphon bellows so that operation of the second lever by the first causes operation of the switch contacts.

2. In a trigger switch, in combination, a receptacle type fixture having flanges at its open end for hermetic engagement to the walls of a closed compartment, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends in the fixture and projecting above the connection of the fixture to the compartment so that the lever may be readily actuated from the outside of the compartment, said fixture having an opening near its bottom, a second lever pivoted intermediate its ends in the fixture and projecting through the opening in the fixture, an operative connection between the two pivoted levers so that actuation of the first lever through a given angle will cause actuation of the second lever through some other or the same given angle, a flexible hermetic coupling between the projecting end of the second lever and the opening in the fixture through which the second lever projects, and switch contacts mounted on the projecting end of the second lever beyond the hermetic connection between the projecting end of the second lever and said flexible hermetic coupllng.

3. In a trigger switch, in combination, a receptacle type of fixture, a vertical lever pivoted near its lower end in the fixture, a cam on the lower end of the lever, a horizontal lever pivoted in the fixture near one of its ends near the pivot of the first lever, said fixture having an opening through which the horizontal lever projects, a flexible hermetic connection between the edges of the opening in the fixture and the projecting portion of the horizontal lever so as to efiectively seal the interior of -the fixture from the outside of the fixture, a cam-like operative engagement between the lower end of the vertical lever and the adjacent end of the horizontal lever, whereby operation of the upper end of the vertical lever through a given angle will cause operation of the horizontal lever through an angle, switch contacts mounted on the projecting end of the horizontal lever to be movable with the lever, and stationary switch contacts disposed on the outside of the fixture for engagement with the contacts on the horizontal lever.

4. In a trigger switch, in combination, a receptacle like fixture, a closed compartment, a hermetic connection between the edges of the fixture and the compartment, a lever pivoted near its inner end in the receptacle of the fixture, a second lever pivoted in-the receptacle and disposed at an angle to the first lever, said receptacle havin an openin and said second lever being so disposed in the receptacle to have an end project through the opening and have the other end adjacent one end of the first lever, a slot in the first lever in the end adjacent the other lever, a pin in the second lever disposed in the slot whereby no movement of the second lever can take place except when the first lever is moved, switch contacts on the projecting end of the second lever operable only upon angular movement of the first lever, and stationary switch contacts disposed outside of the fixture to coact with the stationary contacts.

5. In a trigger switch for a torpedo, in combination, a parallel walled receptacle having flanges for hermetic connection to the afterbody of a torpedo, or other closed compartment, a trigger lever disposed between the parallel walls and pivoted on a pin disposed transverse of said walls, means on the lever engaging the walls for retaining it in either of two angular positions with reference to the walls, a switch operating lever also pivoted in the receptacle said two levers having an irreversible slot and pin type of operative engagement whereby actuation of the trigger lever will operate the switch lever but operating forces applied to the switch lever will not operate the trigger lever, said receptacle having an opening through which the free end of the switchin lever projects, a Sylphon bellows at one end hermetically coupled to the receptacle about the opening, a closure hermetically closing the other end of the Sylphon bellows, said closure being, at the region inside of the Sylphon bellows rigidly connected to the projecting end of the switch lever, and switching means operatively connected to the outside of the closure.

6. In a trigger switch for a torpedo, in combination, a parallel walled receptacle having flanges for hermetic connection to the afterbody of a torpedo, or other closed compartment, a trigger lever disposed between the parallel walls and pivoted on a pin disposed transverse of said walls, means on the lever engaging the walls for retaining it in either of two angular positions with reference to the walls, a switch operating lever also pivoted in the receptacle said two levers having an irreversible slot and pin type of operative engagement whereby actuation of the trigger lever will operate the switch lever but operating forces applied to the switch lever will not operate the trigger lever, said receptacle having an opening through which the free end of the switching lever projects, a Sylphon bellows at one end hermetically coupled to the receptacle about the opening, a closure hermetically closing the other end of the Sylphon bellows, said closure being, at the region inside of the Sylphon bellows rigidly connected to the projecting end of the switch lever, a pair of contacts mounted on the outside of the closure, a pair of contacts connected by a conducting bar mounted on the outside of the receptacle and disposed to bridge the contacts on the closure upon a predetermined operation of the trigger lever.

'7. In a trigger switch for a torpedo, in comflanges for hermetic connection to the aiterbody bination, a parallel walled receptacle having of a torpedo, or other closed compartment, a trigger lever disposed between the parallel walls and pivoted on a pin disposed transverse of said walls, means on the lever engaging the Walls for retaining it in either of two angular positions with reference to the walls, a switch operating lever also pivoted in the receptacle said two levers having an irreversible slot and pin type of operative engagement whereby actuation of the trigger lever will operate the switch lever but operating forces applied to the switch lever will not operate the trigger lever, said receptacle having an opening through which the free end of the switching lever projects, a Sylphon bellows at one end hermetically coupled to the receptacle about the opening, a closure hermetically closing the other end of the Sylphon bellows, said closure being, at the region inside of the Sylphon bellows rigidly connected to the projecting end of the switch lever, a pair of spaced contacts insulated from each other mounted on the outside of the closure, a contact bridging member resiliently mounted on the receptacle disposed to bridge the spaced contacts on the closure upon a predetermined operation of the trigger lever.

8. In a trigger switch for a torpedo, in combination, a parallel walled receptacle having flanges for hermetic connection to the afterbody of a torpedo, or other closed compartment, a trigger lever disposed between the parallel walls and pivoted on a pin disposed transverse of said walls, means on the lever engaging the walls for retaining it in either of two angular positions with reference to the walls, a switch operating lever also pivoted in the receptacle said two levers having an irreversible slot and pin type of operative engagement whereby actuation of the trigger lever will operate the switch lever but operating forces applied to the switch lever will not operate the trigger lever, said receptacle having an opening through which the free end of the switching lever projects, a Sylphon bellows at one end hermetically coupled to the receptacle about the opening, a closure hermetically closing the other end of the Sylphon bellows, said closure being, at the region inside of the Sylphon bellows rigidly connected to the projecting end of the switch lever, a pair of spaced contacts insulated from each other mounted on the outside of the closure, a bracket rigidly secured to the outside of the receptacle, a single relatively wide U-shaped flat spring having one leg secured to the bracket, a contact bridging member mounted on the other leg and disposed, when the trigger lever is operated, to bridge the spaced contacts on the closure.

MERRILL G. LEONARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,997,288 Anderson Apr. 9, 1935 2,202,207 Johnson May 28, 1940 

